I have friends who are full time fishing guides in remote areas of Wyoming that are home to Black Bears and Grizzlies. They recommend bear spray.

Remember, your aim with spray is not critical because the spray can shoots a "cone" of spray. With a firearm, your aim is everything. So, how good is your aim with a roaring, foaming-at-the-mouth thousand pound mass of muscle, claws and teeth is three seconds from ripping your face off? Seriously, are you that cool?

And if you are in the middle of a bear attack, just getting your hand on the spray can's trigger may discourage the bear. You may spray yourself too, but that beats the hell out of being mauled.